Integral tree stand

ABSTRACT

An integral tree stand, disposable on a trunk of a tree, includes a seat assembly being rearwardly directed, facing the trunk of the tree when disposed on the trunk of the tree and being spaced apart from the trunk of the tree, thereby accommodating a person seated on a seat assembly seat and facing the trunk of the tree.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to hunting equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable tree stand that may be attached to the trunk of a tree.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous integral portable tree stands on the market today. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,316,105 and 5,105,910 for example. While these tree stands have a variety of designs, one thing that they all have in common is that when erected on the trunk of a tree, the seat is so designed that the hunter sits facing outward from the trunk of the tree with his back against or adjacent to the trunk of the tree. Some hunters feel that this disposition places the hunter where the hunter may be easily viewed by game that is approaching. This disposition forces the hunter to sit on the side of the tree from which the hunter expects the game to approach. In such disposition, motion of the hunter's head, hands, and feet while sitting the tree stand are more readily apparent to game that is approaching from the direction that the hunter expected the game to approach from. Typically, a sit in a tree stand can be a long and somewhat uncomfortable event and certain motion by the hunter is to be expected. A stand that masked such movement would be appreciated.

Climbing tree stands (climbers) are necessarily two component tree stands and are therefore not integral. Climbers include a seat assembly and a separate platform assembly. The hunter alternately moves one or the other of the assemblies to ascend/descend the tree trunk. Necessarily, the hunter must face the tree trunk to operate the two components noted above. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,996,738 and 5,842,540 for example. It should be noted that the climber is not capable of climbing past a significant tree branch. Such stands are useful typically in the southeast portion of the U.S. having indigenous pines that do not have significant branches lower than the height at which the hunter desires to dispose the tree stand. An integral stand is much more universal in application, being able to be used with virtually any type of tree, including those with lower branches beneath the disposition of the tree stand. The integral tree stand does not have an inherent means to ascend/descend the tree trunk, however, and must be elevated to the desired disposition in the tree by other means.

There is a need then in the industry for an integral tree stand that at least partially obscures the hunter from game approaching from a certain direction and minimizes the chance that motion by the hunter will be detected by the game. There is further a need in the industry for a rear facing seat assembly that can be added to an existing conventional integral tree stand to convert it to a tree stand with rear facing capability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The integral tree stand of the present invention substantially meets the aforementioned needs of the industry. The tree stand disposes the hunter away from the trunk of the tree and in a disposition that is facing the trunk of the tree. By such means, the hunter can place the tree stand on the opposite side of the trunk of the tree from which the hunter expects game to approach. During the long sit in the tree stand, the hunter is able to make at least minimal movements without fear of detection by approaching game.

Virtually all integral portable tree stands (as distinct from climbers, discussed above) have a platform on which the hunter may stand. The platform typically extends outward from the trunk of the tree in a generally horizontal disposition and is supported against the tree trunk by an integral transverse support that generally lies alongside the trunk of the tree and is therefore generally transverse to the platform. The platform is disposed in a generally horizontal disposition adjacent the trunk of the tree when the tree stand is ready to receive the hunter. The tree stand of the present invention disposes the hunter's seat towards the distal end of the platform and elevated (displaced) from the platform. In such disposition, the hunter sits facing the trunk of the tree. Further in a certain embodiment, the hunter may select to have the seat in the traditional forward facing disposition against the tree trunk or in the rear facing disposition noted above.

Certain embodiments of the present invention include a telescoping rifle rest having arrest that is variable in both height and width as desired. The rest may be disposed adjacent the tree trunk when the seat is rear facing or may be disposed proximate the distal margin of the platform when the seat is in the traditional disposition against the tree trunk.

The present invention is an integral tree stand, disposable on a trunk of a tree, and includes a seat assembly being rearwardly directed, facing the trunk of the tree when disposed on the trunk of the tree and being spaced apart from the trunk of the tree, thereby accommodating a person seated on a seat assembly seat and facing the trunk of the tree.

The present invention is also a kit for use with a conventional integral tree stand, the integral tree stand having an operably coupled platform assembly and transverse support assembly and being disposable on a trunk of a tree, comprising a seat assembly being rearwardly directed, facing the trunk of the tree when disposed on the trunk of the tree and being spaced apart from the trunk of the tree, thereby accommodating a person seated on a seat and facing the trunk of the tree, the seat assembly being operably couplable to the platform assembly and disposable in an erect hunting disposition spaced apart from the platform assembly proximate a distal margin of the platform assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in the transport disposition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the partially erect disposition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the fully erect hunting disposition as is disposed on the trunk of a tree;

FIG. 4 is a further perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the fully erect hunting disposition as is disposed on the trunk of a tree;

FIG. 5 is a frontal perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the fully erect hunting disposition with a view of the seat underside;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention with the seat I a rear facing disposition;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 in the fully erect hunting disposition as is disposed on the trunk of a tree with the seat in a forward facing disposition;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 in the collapsed transport disposition, minus portions of the seat assembly; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 in the collapsed transport disposition, including the entire seat assembly

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A first embodiment of the tree integral stand of the present invention is shown generally at 10 in the FIGS. 1-5. Tree stand 10 includes three major subassemblies: platform assembly 14, transverse support assembly 16, and rear facing seat assembly 18.

The platform assembly 14 of the tree stand 10 includes a platform 19 defining an upper support surface 20 upon which a person may stand and an opposed surface 21. The upper support surface 20 is preferably formed by a plurality of connected rectangular tubes, the tubes preferably being formed of aluminum for lightness. The first of such tubes is the proximal or rear bar 22. It should be noted that the proximal bar 22 has a relatively wide cross-sectional width 24. A pair of side bars 26 that are spaced apart extend forward from the proximal bar 22. A distal or front bar 28 connects the distal ends of the side bars 26. A plurality of cross bars 30 extend between the side bars 26. The upper surfaces of the various bars forming the support surface 20 may be covered with a non-skid material. A wire mesh may be superimposed on the cross bars 30 for added support, as desired.

A transverse bolt 32 is disposed in a bore defined in the proximal bar 22. The transverse bolt 32 captures a link at a first chain end 34 of a chain 35. The transverse bolt 32 passes through the depth dimension of the proximal bar 22.

An axial bolt 36 is spaced apart from the transverse bolt 32. The axial bolt 36 passes through the width dimension 24 of the proximal bar 22. A forward projecting bolt extension 38 extends from the nut 39 that holds the axial bolt 36 in place.

A pair of underlying plates 40 may be bolted to the underside of the proximal bar 22. The underlying plates 40 may be square in shape and disposed such that a corner of the square is sharpened and extends rearward from the rear margin of the proximal bar 22 to define rearward directed points 42. Other types of rearward directed points that may engage the trunk of the tree are also envisioned.

The second subcomponent of the tree stand 10 is the transverse support assembly 16 that is operably coupled to the platform assembly 14. It is understood that relative to the platform assembly 14, the transverse support assembly 16 may be fixed or pivoting, may be formed of single or multiple bars, and may be directed upward or downward with respect to a horizontally disposed platform assembly 14. A pivoting transverse support assembly 16 accommodates a tree trunk that is not quite vertical while still maintaining a generally horizontal disposition of the platform assembly 14.

In the present embodiment, the transverse support assembly 16 includes an upright support 50. The upright support 50 is comprised of a pair of spaced apart bars 52. At least one strengthening cross member 54 extends between the bars 52. A cross member, similar to the cross bar 172 (discussed in greater detail below), may optionally be disposed at the upper margin 58 of the upright support 50. The cross member may be a small platform, a forward facing seat, or a bar (see cross bar 172 below). The cross member may be used to support a depending pouch used to contain accessories needed by the hunter. As noted above, the cross member may also comprise a conventional forward directed seat upon which a hunter may seat himself in the conventional, forward directed (prior art) manner. Additionally, the bars 52 may be telescoping to adjust the height of the cross member 56 relative to the platform assembly 14. The cross member may have telescoping extensions (extensions 178 are discussed below) that may be extended beyond the width of the trunk of the tree as desired to provide a rifle support. See FIG. 6.

A strap 60 may be affixed proximate the upper margin 58 of the cross member 56 by means by bolts 62 or by other means. The strap 60 includes a strap coupling 64 to define a continuous loop of the strap 60. In the present embodiment, the strap coupling 64 is comprised of an over center buckle 60 that is held tightly in place by a retaining pin 66 when in the over center disposition.

The lower margin 69 of the upright support 50 is operably coupled to the platform assembly 14 by means of a coupling 70. As noted above, it is understood that the coupling 70 may be pivoting or fixed, the fixed type fixing the transverse support assembly 16 in a generally transverse relationship to the platform assembly 14.

In the present embodiment, the coupling 70 is a pivoting type coupling. The coupling 70 is comprised of two spaced apart L-shaped brackets 72. Each of the brackets 72 is affixed to the upper margin of the proximal bar 22 by bolts 74. A pivot bore 76 is defined in the upward directed side of each of the L-shaped brackets 72. A bolt 78 may be disposed in each of the pivot bores 76 and then through a bore 80 defined proximate the lower margin 69 of each of the spaced apart bars 52 to pivotally couple the transverse support assembly 16 to the platform assembly 14.

The final subcomponent of the tree stand 10 is the rear facing seat assembly 18. The rear facing seat assembly 18 includes a main support 90. The main support 90 is preferably comprised of a pair of spaced apart bars 92. Each of the bars 92 is preferably comprised of a flat strap of metal. At least one strengthening cross-member 94 may extend between the bars 92.

Each of the bars 92 has a proximal end bore 96 that is captured at the coupling 70 by the bolt 78. Accordingly, the main support 90 is free to pivot about the coupling 70 relative to the platform assembly 14.

A distal end bore 98 is defined proximate the distal end of each of the bars 92. A flat seat support 100 extends between the two bars 92 proximate the distal end thereof. A seat 102 is coupled to the seat support 100 by a plurality of bolts 104.

Preferably, an eye bolt 106 (see FIG. 5) is passed through each of the distal end bores 98. A cable 108 is coupled to each of the eye bolts 106 and extends downward and is coupled by a bolt 110 to the platform assembly 14, thereby providing additional support for the platform assembly 14.

A transverse support 112 extends forward from the transverse support assembly 16 when the tree stand 10 is deployed on a tree. The transverse support 112 is comprised of a pair of spaced apart bars 114. Each of the bars 114 is preferably comprised of a flat strap of metal. At least one cross member 116 may extend between the two bars 114. An elongate slot 118 is defined in each of the bars 114 commencing proximate the proximal end of the bars 114 and extending forward approximately ½ the length of each of the bars 114. A respective bolt 120 is passed through each of the elongate slots 118 and through a bore 122 defined in a respective spaced apart bar 52 to pivotally, shiftably couple the transverse support 112 to the upright support 50.

A distal end bore 124 is defined in each of the bars 114 and is captured by a respective one of the eye bolts 106 to pivotally couple a respective one of the bars 114 to a respective bar 92 and held in place by a pair of nuts threaded onto the respective eye bolts 106.

In operation, the first embodiment of the tree stand 10 may be transported in a collapsed, transport disposition (See FIG. 1) with the bolt 120 disposed proximate the distal end of the elongate slot 118. In this disposition, the transverse support 112 resides within the space defined between the bars 92 of the main support 90. The spaced apart bars 52 of the upright support 50 in turn reside within the space defined between the bars 114 of the transverse support 112.

To deploy the tree stand 10 to the erect, hunting disposition on a tree, the tree stand 10 in the collapsed disposition described above is held with the proximal bar 22 against the surface of the tree trunk and the tree stand 10 angled away from the surface of the tree at approximately 45 degrees.

The chain 35 is wrapped around the tree and over the proximal bar 22. A chain link is slid over the bolt extension 38 of the axial bolt 36. The tree stand 10 is then rotated downward to a more horizontal disposition. Such rotation acts in the manner of a cam to tighten the chain 35 around the trunk of the tree and forces the rearward directed points 42 of the underlying plates 40 into the surface of the tree, securing the tree stand 10 to the tree.

The transverse support assembly 16 is then rotated into a generally transverse disposition relative to the platform assembly 14 (See sequentially FIGS. 2 and 3) by grasping the upper portion of the upright support 50 and rotating it towards the trunk of the tree. Such action causes the bolt 120 to translate in the elongate slot 118 toward the proximal end of the elongate slot 118. When the bolt 120 is disposed at the proximal end of the elongate slot 118, further rotation of the transverse support assembly 16 toward the trunk of a tree causes the main support 90 to rotate about the pivoting coupling 70. As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, such rotation results in elevating the seat 102 to a disposition that is generally above the distal end of the platform assembly 14 and displaced from the support surface 20 at a comfortable sitting height. In such disposition, the main support 90 is angled forward and upward from the coupling 70 and the transverse support 112 is in a generally horizontal disposition and generally parallel to the upper support surface 20 of the platform assembly 14. Disengagement of the tree stand 10 from the tree trunk is essentially the reverse of the above procedure.

A second preferred embodiment of the tree stand 10 is depicted in FIGS. 6-9. The second embodiment of the tree stand 10 includes the same major subcomponents as the tree stand 10 above. These include a platform assembly 14, a transverse support assembly 16 and a rear facing seat assembly 18. Like reference numerals in the two embodiments indicate like components.

The platform assembly 14 is formed in a substantially similar manner as the platform assembly 14 above. An exception is there are no underlying plates 40 with their rearward directed points 42. In their place there are a plurality of rearward directed spurs 130 that are generally parallel with the platform assembly 14.

In this case, the transverse support assembly 16 depends from the platform assembly 14 when coupled to a tree trunk and the coupling 70 is fixed instead of pivoting as in the embodiment above. A depending support 50 a includes a pair of spaced apart bars 52 a. At least one cross-member 54 a extends between the distal ends of the spaced apart bars 52 a. A strengthening trapezoidal plate 131 (see particularly FIG. 9) may be fixedly coupled to the bars 52 a and to the cross-member 54 a. As noted above, a plurality of spurs 130 that are rearward directed may be disposed on the cross-member 54 a.

A respective cantilever beam 134 (see FIGS. 6-9) extends forward and upward from either end of the cross-member 54 a at a first end of the cantilever beam 134. The cantilever beams 134 are fixedly coupled to the cross member 54 a at a first end and to the distal bar 28 proximate the intersection of the respective side bars 26 with the distal bar 28 and at a second end of the respective cantilever beams 134 .

The rear facing seat assembly 18 of the second embodiment (see FIGS. 6-9) includes a plate 140 to which a pair of spaced apart transverse tubes 142 are affixed. Each of the tubes 142 is relatively short, being about four to six inches in length and has an upward directed opening 144. A transverse bore 145 is defined in each of the tubes 142 close to the intersection with the plate 140. The plate 140 may be affixed to the platform assembly 14 by bolts 146. Strengthening gussets 143 may extend between the plate 140 and each of tubes 142.

The seat assembly 18 further includes a pair of spaced apart bars 148. The bars 148 include at least one strengthening cross-member 150. A bore 152 (see FIG. 9) is formed through each of the bars 148 proximate the proximal end 153 of the each of the respective bars 148.

The bars 148 are preferably square in cross-section. The width dimension of a side of the bar 148 is slightly less than the width dimension of an inside side of the preferably square section tube 142 in order to accommodate removeably sliding a bar 148 into an interior cavity 151 defined in the respective tubes 142. Once the bars 148 are so disposed, the bores 145 and the bores 152 and a clinch pin or bolt may be inserted through the bores 145 and the bores 152 in order to keep the bars 148 in place as desired.

A seat attachment 156 is disposed at the distal end of the bars 148. The seat attachment 156 is a transverse bar 157 and provides for pivoting of the seat attachment 156 in this case. The seat 158 is further supported by pivotable cantilever supports 159. Cantilever supports 159 are coupled together, forming a loop that loops through a first portion 158 a of the seat 158 and permits the first portion 158 a to pivot about a joint 155 relative to the fixed second portion 158 b of the seat 158. Note the relative dispositions of the first portion 158 a and the fixed second portion 158 b of the seat 158 in FIGS. 7 and 9. Alternatively, a seat 158 may be fixed to the pivoting seat attachment 156 in a non-pivoting arrangement, as desired. The seat attachment 156 may as well be fixed and the support 159 fixed.

A further support 160 (see FIGS. 6-9) may be supplied with the tree stand 10. The support 160 includes a pair of brackets 161 that are affixed to the platform assembly 18. Each of the brackets 161 includes a pair of spaced apart ears 162 a with each ear 162 a having a bore 162 defined therein. See FIG. 9.

A pair of spaced apart bars 164 may be pivotally coupled to the brackets 161, as depicted in FIG. 8. The bars 164 include at least one cross-member 166. A transverse bore 168 is defined in each of the bars 164 proximate the proximal end thereof. A bolt 170 may be passed through the bore 168 of a respective bar 164 and through a bore 162 of a bracket 161 to pivotally affix the bars 164 to the brackets 161.

A relatively small transverse bar 172 may be affixed at the top margin of the bars 164. The transverse bar 172 may be used to support a depending pouch or other container for accessories that might be useful to the hunter. A strap, similar to strap 174, may provided to strap the support 160 to the trunk of a tree.

It is understood that with the second embodiment, the support 160 plays a relatively minor role in upholding the tree stand on the trunk of the tree, but may function as a rifle stand with a telescoping feature. The support 160 may include optional telescoping transverse legs, as depicted in FIG. 6 that are extendable from either end of the transverse bar 172. Further, the bars 164 may also be made telescoping so that the height of the transverse bar 172 can be varied as desired relative to the platform assembly 14. In this case, the bars 164 may be shiftably disposed in tubes 180 with a wing nut 182 or the like to hold the bars 164 at the desired height.

Further, it is understood that the support 164 and the rear facing seat assembly 18 may be reversed in their dispositions so that the hunter can sit in a rear facing disposition, as depicted in FIG. 6, or in the more common outward directed forward disposition with his back against the tree trunk, as depicted in FIG. 7.

In operation, the tree stand 10 of the second embodiment may be transported in a relatively flat collapsed condition. For a rearward facing seat disposition, such condition is attained by rotating the forward edge of the seat 158 upward and pivoting it about the pivoting seat attachment 156. The seat 158 may be brought to a disposition that is generally parallel with the bars 148 and then strapped to the platform assembly 14 with the strap 174. The optional support 160 may be pivoted downward to lie substantially flush with the platform assembly 18. A pair of backstraps 184 may be provided to facilitate packing the tree stand 10 in to the hunting site.

When deploying the tree stand on a trunk a tree, the platform 19 of the platform assembly 14 is held at a 45 degree angle relative to the tree trunk and the chain 35 is connected in substantially the same manner as described above. Rotating the platform assembly 14 to a generally horizontal disposition tightens the chain 35 around the trunk of the tree and digs the rearward directed spurs 130 into the tree. In such disposition, the platform assembly 18 is fully supported on the trunk of the tree. The bars 148 of the rear facing seat assembly may then be slid into the tubes 142 and affixed in place with the clinch pins or bolts, as desired. The optional support mount 160 may then be rotated upward and a strap similar to strap 174 secured around the trunk of the tree. The seat 158 may then be rotated to about 90 degrees to a substantially horizontal disposition.

When it is desired the rear facing seat assembly 18 be employed in a conventional disposition, the bars 148 are simply bolted to the brackets 161 by the bolts 170. When the rear facing seat assembly 18 is rotatably elevated to a disposition against the trunk of the tree, a strap 174 may be utilized to secure the rear facing seat assembly 18 to the trunk of the tree. The optional support 160 may then be introduced into the tubes 142 and be positioned in front of the hunter when the hunter is seated on the seat 158.

The rear facing seat assembly 18 (and the optional the support 160) may also be provided to a user for installation on a preexisting conventional integral tree stand as a kit to convert the conventional integral tree stand to a rear facing type tree stand. Both of the embodiments of the rear facing seat assembly 18 noted above are adaptable to being provided in kit form.

The above disclosure is not intended as limiting. Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the restrictions of the appended claims. 

1. An integral tree stand, disposable on a trunk of a tree, a rear portion of the tree stand being disposable adjacent to the trunk of a tree and a front portion of the tree stand being disposable extending from the trunk of a tree, the tree stand comprising: a platform assembly having a platform, a first side of the platform being a support surface and having a second opposed side of the platform, the platform being defined by a rear, proximal margin, a pair of spaced apart side margins, and a front, distal margin; a transverse support assembly operably coupled to the platform assembly proximate the rear, proximal margin of the platform and disposed substantially transverse to the platform when disposed on the trunk of the tree; and a seat assembly being rearwardly directed and having a first mounting means for operably coupling the seat assembly to the platform assembly, the seat assembly being disposable spaced apart from the support surface in a disposition proximate the front, distal margin of the platform.
 2. The tree stand of claim 1, the seat assembly being shiftable between a collapsed disposition proximate the platform and the elevated disposition.
 3. The tree stand of claim 1 the seat assembly having a main support pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the platform.
 4. The tree stand of claim 3 the seat assembly having a transverse support pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the transverse support, a distal end of the transverse support being pivotally coupled to a distal end of the main support.
 5. The tree stand of claim 1, the first mounting means being disposed proximate the platform distal margin for mounting the seat assembly in a rearward direction and a second mounting means operably coupled to the platform and being disposed proximate the platform proximal margin for mounting the seat assembly in a forward direction as desired.
 6. An integral tree stand, disposable on a trunk of a tree, comprising: a seat assembly being rearwardly directed, facing the trunk of the tree when disposed on the trunk of the tree and being spaced apart from the trunk of the tree, thereby accommodating a person seated on a seat and facing the trunk of the tree.
 7. The tree stand of claim 6, including: a platform assembly having a platform, a first side of the platform being a support surface and having a second opposed side of the platform, the platform being defined by a rear, proximal margin, a pair of spaced apart side margins, and a front, distal margin; a transverse support assembly operably coupled to the platform assembly proximate the rear, proximal margin of the platform and disposed substantially transverse to the platform when disposed on the trunk of the tree; and the seat assembly having a first mounting means for operably coupling the seat assembly to the platform assembly, the seat assembly being disposable spaced apart from the support surface in a disposition proximate the front, distal margin of the platform.
 8. The tree stand of claim 6, the seat assembly being shiftable between a collapsed disposition proximate the platform and the elevated disposition.
 9. The tree stand of claim 6 the seat assembly having a main support pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the platform.
 10. The tree stand of claim 9 the seat assembly having a transverse support pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the transverse support, a distal end of the transverse support being pivotally coupled to a distal end of the main support.
 11. The tree stand of claim 6, the first mounting means being disposed proximate the platform distal margin for mounting the seat assembly in a rearward direction and having a second mounting means operably coupled to the platform and being disposed proximate the platform proximal margin for mounting the seat assembly in a forward direction as desired.
 12. A method of forming a tree stand, disposable on a trunk of a tree, comprising: disposing a seat assembly in a rearward directed disposition facing the trunk of the tree when disposed thereon and spacing the seat assembly apart from the trunk of the tree.
 13. The method of claim 12, including shifting the seat assembly between a collapsed disposition proximate a platform and the elevated disposition as desired.
 14. The method of claim 13 including pivotally coupling a main support of the seat assembly at a proximal end to the platform.
 15. The method of claim 12 including pivotally coupling a transverse support of the seat assembly at a proximal end to the transverse support and pivotally coupling a distal end of the transverse support to a distal end of the main support.
 16. The method of claim 12, including operably coupling a first mounting means to a platform proximate a platform distal margin for mounting the seat assembly in a rearward direction and operably coupling a second mounting means to the platform proximate a platform proximal margin for selectively mounting the seat assembly in a forward direction as desired.
 17. A rear facing seat kit for use with an integral tree stand, the integral tree stand having an operably coupled platform assembly and transverse support assembly and being disposable on a trunk of a tree, comprising: a seat assembly being rearwardly directed, facing the trunk of the tree when disposed on the trunk of the tree and being spaced apart from the trunk of the tree, thereby accommodating a person seated on a seat and facing the trunk of the tree, the seat assembly being operably couplable to the platform assembly and disposable in an erect hunting disposition spaced apart from the platform assembly proximate a distal margin of the platform assembly.
 18. The kit of claim 17, including; a transverse support assembly operably coupled to the platform assembly proximate the rear, proximal margin of the platform and disposed substantially transverse to the platform when disposed on the trunk of the tree; and the seat assembly having a first mounting means for operably coupling the seat assembly to the platform assembly, the seat assembly being disposable spaced apart from the support surface in a disposition proximate the front, distal margin of the platform.
 19. The kit of claim 17 the seat assembly having a main support pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the platform and having a transverse support pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the transverse support, a distal end of the transverse support being pivotally coupled to a distal end of the main support.
 20. The kit of claim 17, the first mounting means being disposed proximate a platform assembly distal margin for mounting the seat assembly in a rearward direction and having a second mounting means operably coupled to the platform assembly and being disposed proximate a platform proximal margin for mounting the seat assembly in a forward direction as desired. 